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In Florida
Teens Kill TG Over Beer
By William Cooper Jr.
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Contributed by Victoria Powers
RIVIERA BEACH, Florida
March 22, 1998
Several teens bludgeoned a man to death and severely beat
his brother in a fight over beer early Saturday at an oceanfront mall,
police said.
Shortly after 12:30 a.m., police found Robert Boland, 30, dead near the
parking meters and the beach at the Ocean Mall, 2600 N. Ocean Drive on
Singer Island. He was wearing a dress, a thong and red finger-nail polish,
police said.
His brother, Charles Boland, 32, was nearby, suffering from severe head
injuries. He was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center, where he was in serious
condition Saturday night.
Police are investigating reports that as many as 10 teens, who had been
skateboarding in the area, may have hit the Bolands, but are focusing the
investigation on four youngsters, ages 15 to 17, who used weapons, said
police Detective Pat Galligan.
Detectives have questioned some the suspects, but no one has been arrested,
Galligan said.
Police said the incident began when the Boland brothers were buying beer for
the teens at the 7-Eleven store in the Ocean Mall. The 80,000-square-foot
mall, which houses bars, restaurants and beach specialty shops, has become a
late-night hangout for skateboarders, police said.
After midnight, after the Bolands bought the beer and left the store, they
began arguing with with one of the youths who they thought had told the
store clerk they were buying beer for underage kids, police said.
"It was all over beer and a pushing match," said Detective Thomas Murphy.
Seeing their friend fight with the Bolands, several teens joined the fray,
police said. As many as 10 youngsters possibly exchanged blows with the
brothers as the fight moved to the east side of the mall, north of the
Portofino restaurant, police said.
Police believe only about four youths actually used weapons to hit the
Bolands. Those objects have been taken into evidence, Murphy said. He
declined to say what they were.
Charles Boland, who went by the nickname "Bo," has convictions for battery,
police said. They said they have had to respond to fights between him and
his girlfriend several times.
"Any officer that's worked here any length of time knows Bo," Murphy said.
Despite the dress of Robert Boland, of 1230 Emerald Lane on Singer Island,
police said they aren't investigating his death as a hate crime.
Police asked that anyone with information about the fight call them at 845-
4153.
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